Indoor lighting ergonomics and visual-cognitive outcomes in educational and occupational environments: A scoping review
Debanjali Bhattacharjee, Ankit Sanjay VarshneyAbstract
Background:
Indoor lighting is a fundamental component of educational and occupational environments and may influence visual comfort and functional visual performance during visually demanding tasks. However, evidence remains fragmented across disciplines. This scoping review aimed to map and synthesize existing evidence on associations between indoor lighting ergonomics, visual comfort, and cognitive performance in learning and work settings.
Materials and Methods:
A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews. Electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, were systematically searched to identify relevant studies published between January 2000 and June 2023. Studies involving human participants and conducted in educational or occupational indoor environments were eligible if they examined associations between indoor lighting conditions and visual or cognitive performance outcomes. Titles, abstracts, and full texts were screened independently by two reviewers according to predefined eligibility criteria. Relevant data were extracted using a standardized data-charting form capturing study characteristics, lighting parameters, outcome measures, and key findings. Extracted data were synthesized using an inductive thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and themes across studies.
Results:
Twenty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Most were conducted in educational settings, followed by occupational environments. Illuminance was the most frequently assessed lighting parameter, while glare, luminance uniformity, and spectral characteristics were less commonly evaluated. Suboptimal lighting conditions were consistently associated with increased visual discomfort and reduced visual task efficiency. Several studies also reported associations between optimized lighting and improved attention, task engagement, and learning or productivity outcomes, although findings were heterogeneous. Evidence relating to light exposure and refractive development was identified but included only for contextual interpretation.
Conclusion:
Available evidence indicates that indoor lighting ergonomics is associated with visual comfort and functional visual and cognitive outcomes in educational and occupational environments. Visual comfort appears to mediate these associations. This scoping review does not establish causality but highlights important evidence gaps. Standardized assessment methods and longitudinal research are needed to inform evidence-based lighting design and policy development.